Easy-open pull-tab construction for a container

ABSTRACT

A container end of the easy-opening type including a pull-tab construction comprising a first strip of adhesive tape adhering to and disposed over an opening in the outer surface of the end, and a second strip of adhesive tape adhering to the inner surface of the end and having an at least partially preformed aperture in substantial alignment with the opening.

I United States Patent 51 3,659,739

Luviano et al. May 2, 1972 [54] EASY-OPEN PULL-TAB References CliedCONSTRUCTION FOR A CONTAINER UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 1 Inventor! J J pLuviano, Rydal M Vinson 3,251,515 5/1966 Henchert et al ..220/s3 uxPotts, Cherry 3,292,828 12/1966 Stuart 3 302 818 2/l967 Balocca et a1.[73] Asslgnee: Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.,

Philadelphia, Pa. 3,339,788 9/1967 Lipske ..220/53 [22] Filed: Nov. 19,1969 Primary Examiner-George T. Hall Attorney-Woodcock, Washbum, Kurtz &Mackiewicz [21] Appl. No.: 878,074

[ ABSTRACT 2 5 "220/53 A container end of the easy-opening typeincluding a pull-tab Cl /2 construction comprising a first strip ofadhesive tape adhering [58] Field of Search ..220/53, 54, 27-, 229/93;to and disposed over an opening in the outer surface of the 222/487 end,and a second strip of adhesive tape adhering to the inner surface of theend and having an at least partially preformed aperture in substantialalignment with the opening.

17 Claims, 21 Drawing Figures Patented May 2, 1972 3 Shuts-Sheet 1Patented May 2, 1972 3 Shoots-Sheet 3 EASY-OPEN PULL-TAB CONSTRUCTIONFOR A CONTAINER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates tothe use of an adhesive tape in a container end of the easy-opening typeincluding a pull-tab construction.

It has become common practice in the packaging industry to packagevarious products in containers which permit product removal without theaid of a mechanical tool, such as a can opener. Such containers havebeen designated as being of the easy-opening type, and generallyinclude, in one end thereof, a tab member which may be grasped by thefingers of the consumer and pulled to gain access to the contents of thecontainer.

The most popular pull-tab constructions used have included substantiallyrigid sealing members and metallic bonds produced by the integralformation of the pull-tab with the container end or by a distinct metalbonding operation, such as soldering or welding. While such pull-tabconstructions have been, and are, extensively used, they leave much tobe desired. For example, the pull-tab is frequently sharp andsufficiently rigid, thereby presenting a risk of injury to the consumer.Moreover, the pull-tabs are for the most part nonresealable, i.e., oncethe metallic bond is broken, the container cannot be rescaled as may bedesired when only a portion of its contents are consumed.

For these reasons, and others, including economy, the container industryhas developed pull-tab constructions which rely upon flexible tape andnon-metallic bonds. The tab itself may comprise a tape with an adhesivecoating of sufficient bonding capability to seal hermetically thecontents of the container under a pressure of 100 to 130 psi.Alternatively, an adhesive layer may be applied to the container endseparately from the pull-tab.

In certain instances a single piece of tape has been used as thepull-tab. Generally, such pull-tab constructions have not had sufficientstrength to withstand the pressure differential of from 100 to 130 psicharacteristic of a carbonated beverage container.

In other instances a dual tape construction has been used wherein onestrip of adhesive is disposed over the opening in the container end andafiixed to the exterior face of the end while a second strip,co-extensive with the first strip, is affixed to the interior face ofthe end. In this construction, a resealing capability is provided whichadditionally affords a stronger, more pressure resistant hermetic seal.Furthermore, the exposed raw edge of the opening in the container end issealed off from the contents of the container thereby preventing anyinteraction therebetween.

To open a container in which the dual tape construction is utilized, theinner tape must be torn or ruptured as the pulltab, or outer tape, isremoved from the container end. Generally, this requires a good adhesivebond between the inner tape and the outer tape as well as the selectionof an inner tape which will rupture or tear.

Containers including adhesive tape pull-tab constructions which permitresealing after a portion of the containers contents have been removedhave also been subject to criticism since it has not been possible for apurchaser to detect visually whether such a container had, prior topurchase, been opened and part of its contents pilfered or somehowcontaminated. Because of the easy access of containers displayed forsale by retailers, as in a supermarket, for example, this problem hasdiminished the full acceptance by the trade and purchasing public ofadhesive tape pull-tab constructions which can reseal the container. Tothe best of our knowledge, the prior art has not provided an efiectivepilfer detection means for use with such pull-tab constructions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a general object of this invention toprovide an improved pull-tab construction.

And it is a more specific object of this invention to provide a pull-tabconstruction which permits pilfer detection.

In accordance with these and other objects, there is provided acontainer end of the easy-opening type comprising an end panel includingan inner surface, an outer surface, and a preformed opening exposing araw panel edge extending from the inner surface to the outer surface. Anouter resealable adhesive tape means covers the opening and adheres tothe outer surface adjacent the raw panel edge. An inner adhesive tapemeans adheres to the inner surface adjacent the raw panel edge. Theinner adhesive tape means includes an aperture sufficiently preformed soas to expose the contents of the container when the pull-tab is removedthrough the at least partially preformed aperture of the inner adhesivetape means without substantial rupturing or tearing of the inneradhesive tape means.

In one embodiment, the aperture in the inner tape means is onlypartially preformed, as for example by a plurality of perforations orslits in substantial alignment with the raw panel edge exposed by theprefonned opening in the container end. By providing an arcuate andelongated perforation or slit extending through the entire thickness ofthe inner tape means along a portion of the aperture in the inner tapemeans, removal of the outer tape means will result in pulling anintegral flap of the inner tape means through the opening in thecontainer end without substantial rupturing of the inner tape. This flapportion, which forms part of a plug covering the partially preformedaperture in the inner tape, may then be grasped between the fingertipsof the consumer to remove the plug and complete the opening of thecontainer. If this plug is seen to be missing after the outer tape meansare removed, the consumer will be on notice that the contents of thecontainer may have been pilferized, since the removal of some of thecontents from the container will require that the flap of the inner tapemeans be pulled. Of course the consumer can still reseal the containerwith the outer tape means even though he has removed the plug andachieve an hermetically sealed container. By providing the partiallypreformed aperture in the inner tape means with a lesser area than theopening of the end and enclosing the preformed aperture within the edgeof the preformed opening of the end, the rim of the preformed aperturewill be forced outwardly through the opening so as to prevent anycommunication between the contents of the container and the raw edge ofthe end surrounding the preformed opening. The rim as well as the plugwhich will adhere to the outer tape means through the opening will alsoestablish a double thickness pressure resistant seal.

In another embodiment of the invention, the aperture in the inner tapemeans is completely preformed so as to have a lesser area than theopening in the container end to be enclosed within the panel edge. Underthe pressure from within the container, the rim of the completelypreformed aperture will be forced outwardly through the opening andsealed with the outer tape means to prevent communication between theedge and the contents of the container. The rim will also adhere to theouter tape means through the opening to provide a more pressureresistant seal. Pilfer detection is achieved by placing a wax seal overa portion of the outer tape means and the outer surface of the containerend. When the outer tape means is pulled off, the wax seal is brokenthereby indicating that the container has been pilferized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 2 after the second step in opening thecontainer has been performed;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the container end of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the container end of FIG. 1; FIG. 5a isa bottom plan view of the container end of FIG.

FIGS. 6-9 are cross-sectional views taken along section line AA of FIG.4 representing various steps in opening the contamer;

FIGS. 10 and 1 l are top plan views of container ends having differentlyshaped openings;

FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 8-5 of FIG.12 before the end is applied to a container body;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 8-8 of FIG.12 after the end has been applied to the container body;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 8-8 of FIG.12 after opening the container;

FIGS. 16 and 17 are bottom plan views of the container ends constructedin accordance with the embodiment of the invention of FIG. 12 but havingdifferently shaped openings;

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the ends of FIGS. 12, 16 and 17 includingpilfer detection means; and

FIG. 19 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. 18 taken alongsection line C-C of FIG. 18.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS. 1-3,there is disclosed a sheet metal container 20 of the easy-opening typecomprising a container body-portion 22 and an end 24 double-seamedthereto to form a chime 26. The can body 22 may be integral or seamed inaccordance with methods well known in the art.

As shown in FIG. 1 and in accordance with the objects of this invention,the exterior of a pull-tab construction comprises an outer sealing ortape means in the form of an outer piece of a flexible resealableadhesive tape 28 adhesively sealed to an outer surface 30 of an endpanel 32. The outer tape 28 covers an elongated dispensing opening 34which remains concealed while the tape 28 adheres to the surface 30outwardly of the opening 34. In order to facilitate removal of the outertape 28 from the outer surface 30 to expose the opening, a pull-tabportion 36 which does not adhere to the outer surface 30 is provided.The pull-tab portion 36 may be provided with a non-tacky surface on bothsides to prevent the tab from sticking down on the outer surface 30 andkeep the fingertips free of a sticky adhesive. The pull-tab portion 36may be rough or rippled so as to provide a greater coefficient offriction and thus facilitate a good grip for removal.

Once the tape 28 as shown in FIG. I is removed from the end panel 32 asshown in FIG. 2, the opening 34 in the end panel 32 which extends fromthe outer surface 30 to an inner surface is exposed along with an innersealing or tape means in the form of an inner piece of adhesivelycoated, flexible resealable tape 38. It may be seen that the piece oftape 38 includes a partially preformed opening 40 defined byperforations or slits 42 which have been precut through the thickness ofthe inner tape 38 in a discontinuous manner so as to partially preform aplug portion 44 disposed within the preformed aperture. An elongated andarcuate perforation 42a adjacent the chime 26 permits a flap portion 45on the partially preformed plug portion 44 to be pulled upwardly throughthe opening 34 under the influence of the adhesive bond between theouter tape 28 and the inner tape 38. However, the strength of this bondis such that the outer tape 28 and the inner tape 38 will separatewithout substantial rupture of the tape 38. Once the flap portion 45 ispulled upwardly through the opening 34 as the outer tape 28 is lifted,the flap portion 45 may be grasped between the fingers and pulledupwardly to remove the plug portion 44 to complete the formation of thepreformed aperture 40 as defined by the perforations 42.

Once the plug portion 44 has been pulled upwardly and clear of the end24, the container 20 will appear as shown in FIG. 3. It will be notedthat the area of the now completely formed aperture 40 is somewhat lessthan and enclosed within the periphery of the opening 34 formed by theraw edge 46 of the aperture in the can top. As will be explained below,a rim of the inner tape 38 surrounding the now completely formedaperture 40 and located outwardly of the edge 46 is forced upwardlythrough the opening 34 under the influence of pressure within thecontainer so as to seal off the raw edge 46 from the contents within thecontainer 20.

The opening resulting from the raised flap portion 45 is notsufficiently large to permit a substantial flow of the contents from thecontainer 20. Thus, to receive the contents, it is necessary to extractthe entire plug portion 44. Once the plug portion is removed, thecontainer 20 would be as shown in FIG. 3. Consequently, it is possibleto determine visually, upon removal of the outer tape 28, whether thecontainer 20 had been tampered with. i

In order better to appreciate the relationship between the outer tape28, the inner tape 38 and the opening 34, reference is now made to FIGS.4 and 5. It has been found that the elongated nature of the opening 34permits the maximum adhesive contact of the elongated outer tape 28 andthe elongated inner tape 38 with the end panel 32. Thus, the aperture 34is elongated by tapering gradually outwardly fi'om a reduced width at avent portion 50 to a dispensing portion 52. The flap portion 45, definedin part by an elongated perforation 42a, covers a substantial portion ofthe dispensing portion 52.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-9, the method of opening the container 20 willnow be set forth. In FIG. 6, the pull-tab construction is in thehermetically sealing position on the end 24. In this position, the outertape 28 is adhesively bonded to the outer surface 30 of the end panel 32surrounding the opening 34. The inner tape 38 is adhesively bonded tothe inner surface 49 along a panel adhering portion 51 surrounding theopening 34 and outwardly of the panel edge 46. In addition, the outertape 28 is adhesively bonded to the inner tape 38 through the opening 34to provide a more pressure resistant seal. As shown, the pull-tabconstruction is ready for opening by grasping the pull-tab portion 36between the fingertips.

In FIG. 7, the pull-tab portion 36 is raised off the end panel 32 alongwith the flap portion 45 which is adhesively bonded thereto. At thistime, the small aperture 40a which was previously covered by the flapportion 45 is opened. However, there has been no tearing or rupturing ofthe inner tape 38. The continuity of integral connecu'ons between theplug portion 44 of tape 38 and the panel adhering portion 51 of the tape38 remains undisturbed.

As the opening process continues in FIG. 8, the outer tape 28 iscompletely removed from the end 24. However, the inner tape 38 remainsover the opening 34. In fact, the inner tape 38 remains in substantiallythe same position and condition as shown in FIG. 7 except for thebreaking of the adhesive bond between the outer tape 28 and the innertape 38 which is weaker than the integral connection between the plugportion 44 and the panel adhering portion 51. No substantial tearing orrupturing of the inner tape 38 has yet occurred.

In FIG. 9, the opening of the container is completed with the removal ofthe plug portion 44 by pulling on the flap portion 45. The rim 48 whichhas been forced upwardly into the opening 34 under the influence ofinternal container pressure remains adhesively bonded to the raw edge 46of the opening 34. Consequently, there can be no contact between theremaining contents of the container 20 and the raw edge 46.

In FIGS. 1-9, the flap portion 45 of the inner tape 38 is locatedadjacent the chime 26 and over the dispensing portion 52 of the opening34. However, the flap portion 45 may be located near the center of theend 32 over the vent portion 50 of the opening 34 as shown in FIGS. 2aand 5a. This may be accomplished by forming an elongated and arcuateslit or perforation 420a in the inner tape 38 which forms an edge for anaperture 400a aligned with the vent portion 50. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-9, the location of the perforation 42a is such that the outertape 28 may be pulled free of the flap portion 45 without tending to ripthe inner tape 38 at the perforation 42 adjacent the elongatedperforation 42a. However, the location of the perforation 420a in theembodiment of FIGS. 2a and 5a is such that removal of the outer tape 28will tend to rip the inner tape 38 at perforations 42 adjacent theelongated perforation 4211a. In order to prevent this tearing orrupturing, it may be desirable to utilize a stronger inner tape 38 inthe embodiment of FIGS. 2a and 5 a as compared with the inner tape 38 inthe embodiment of FIGS. 1-9. In the alternative, the perforations 42 maybe separated by a greater distance in the embodiment of FIGS. 2a and 5aas compared with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9 to prevent the undesirablerupturing as the outer tape 28 is removed.

In FIGS. and 1 1, end panel alternative openings 34a and 34b have beenshown. Both the openings 34a and 34b may be characterized as elongatedand increasing from a lesser width near the center of the end 32 to agreater width near the chime 26. Both the openings 34a and 34b may alsobe characterized as permitting substantial adherence between theelongated outer tape 28, shown as removed and therefore not seen, andthe outer surface 30.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the aperture of theinner tape is completely preformed so as to permit complete access tothe contents of the container once the outer tape is removed. As shownin FIG. 12, a completely preformed elongated aperture 140 is provided inan inner piece of tape 138 which adheres to an inner surface 149 of anend panel 132. Since the area of the aperture 140 is less than the areaof an opening 134 which extends from the outer surface of the end 124 tothe inner surface 149 and is enclosed within the edge 146 shown in FIGS.13-15 of the opening 134, the edge 146 may be sealed off from thecontents of the container in accordance with the teachings of thisinvention. Furthermore, the inner tape 138 will adhere to the outer tape128 to provide a more pressure resistant seal.

Referring now to FIG. 13, it will be seen that the inner tape 138 willnot be forced into the opening 134 in the absence of internal pressurewithin the container. This aspect of the inner tape 138 has been shownby illustrating the end 124 with the inner tape 138 and the outer tape128 in place before the end 124 has been double-seamed to a containerbody. Thus, the pressure on the inner tape 138 is no greater than thepressure on the outer tape 128 and the rim 148 surrounding thecompletely preformed aperture 140 will not be adhesively bonded to theedge 146 or the outer tape 128. However, once the end 124 isdouble-seamed to a container body 122 as shown in FIG. 14 andpressurized contents enclosed therein, the pressure on the inner tape138 will exceed the pressure on the outer tape 128. This pressuredifferential will then force the rim 148 into bonding engagement withthe edge 146 to prevent any communication between the contents of thecontainer and the edge 146.

In order to open the sealed container 120 as partially shown in FIG. 14,the consumer need only grasp a pull-tab portion 136 of the outer tape128 and pull the outer tape 128 away from the outer surface 130 of theend panel 132. Once the outer tape 128 has been removed, the container120 will appear as shown in FIG. 15 with the inner tape 138 remaining inadherence with the inner surface 149 and the edge 146.

It will be appreciated that the use of completely preformed apertures inthe inner tape 138 will permit the use of apertures of differingconfiguration. More particularly, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, theaperture may be formed in two discrete portions, a vent portion 1500 or15% and a dispensing portion 152a or 152b. Both the vent portions 150aand 15% comprise substantially circular apertures. The dispensingportion 152a is substantially circular also but the dispensing portion152b is elongated. It has been found that the elongated aperture of thedispensing portion 15212 and the elongated aperture 140 are preferredwherein the pull-tab construction will be subjected to high internalpressures existent in the container for the following reasons. Where acompletely preformed aperture in the inner tape is utilized, the fullforce of the pressure within the container is formed by the sealprovided by the outer tape alone. Consequently, it is desirable that theouter tape have a substantial adhesive area between the edge of theopening in the end and the edge of the outer tape. It will be seen, thatfor an elongated piece of tape, an elongated aperture will provide themaximum adhesive area between the edge of the opening and the edge ofthe tape.

Since the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12-17 utilizes the completelypreformed aperture H0 in the inner tape 138, the opening of thecontainer 122, as mentioned previously, is a single step operation. Thesecond step required in the partially preformed aperture embodiment ofFIGS. l-ll is absent along with its inherent pilfer detection function.In order to provide the pilfer detection function in accordance with oneof the objects of the invention, a wax bead 154 forms a seal between theouter tape 128 and the outer surface 130 of the end panel 132. Thebreaking of the seal provided by the bead 154 serves as an indicationthat the outer tape 128 has been removed.

In the foregoing specification, the term tape has been utilized tospecify both the inner and outer sealing members of the disclosedeasy-opening pull-tab construction. The term tape is intended toencompass any substantially flexible strip of material which isadhesively bondable to the end panel of a container. For example, thebacking of the tape may be a plastic or a metallic foil and the adhesivemay be a hot melt adhesive such as No. 8-64 manufactured by BemisAssociates Inc., 294 Pleasant Street, Watertown, Massachusetts. Asanother example, the tape may comprise the pressure sensitive adhesivetape described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,389,827 Abere et al., which is hereinincorporated by reference. The flexibility, the strength, the adhesion,the thickness, and the permeability of this pressure sensitive adhesivetape have been found to be particularly suitable in practicing theinvention. Other tapes suitable for use in practicing this inventionwill readily occur to those skilled in the art.

It should be understood that the present invention is not to beconsidered limited to any of the specific embodiments herein describedbut may be used in other ways without departing from the spirit of theinvention and the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A container end of the easy-opening type comprising:

an end panel including an inner surface, an outer surface,

and a preformed opening exposing a panel edge extending from said innersurface to said outer surface along the periphery of said opening;

an outer resealable adhesive tape means covering said opening andadhering to said outer surface adjacent said panel edge; and

an inner adhesive tape means having an at least partially preformedaperture, said inner tape means adhering to said inner surface outwardlyof said panel edge and said outer tape means along a rim of saidaperture extending inwardly of said panel edge and being separable fromsaid outer tape means as said outer tape means is removed from said endpanel without substantial rupturing of said inner tape means, saidaperture being sufficiently preformed so as to expose the contents ofsaid container through said opening when said outer tape means isremoved from said outer surface.

2. The container end of claim 1 wherein said aperture is only partiallypreformed and said inner tape means includes a flap portion closing saidat least partially preformed aperture and adhering to said outer tapemeans so as to be partially pulled through said opening when said outertape means is pulled ofi said end panel.

3. The container end of claim 2 wherein said at least partiallypreformed aperture is of lesser area than and enclosed within theperiphery of said opening.

4. The container end of claim 1 wherein said aperture is completelypreformed and is of lesser area than and enclosed within the peripheryof said opening.

5. The container end of claim 1 wherein a wax bead forms a pilferdetection seal between said outer tape means and said outer surface.

6. A container end of the easy-opening type comprising:

an end panel including an inner surface, an outer surface,

and a preformed opening exposing a panel edge extending from said innersurface to said outer surface along the periphery of said opening; and

a two-step opening tab means including a resealable adhesive outer tapemeans covering said opening and adhering to said outer surface adjacentsaid panel edge adapted to be removed during a first opening step; and

an adhesive inner tape means adapted to be removed during a secondopening step comprising a panel adhering portion adhering to said innersurface adjacent said panel edge, a partially preformed plug portioncovering a partially preformed aperture and adhering to said outer tapemeans, and an integral connection therebetween, said connection being ofsufficient strength so as to remain when said outer tape means isremoved from said outer surface and separated from said plug portion.

7. The container end of claim 6, wherein said plug portion comprises apreformed flap portion covering and adhering to said outer tape meansthrough said opening and adapted to be pulled only partially throughsaid opening when said outer tape means is pulled off said end panel.

8. The container end of claim 7, wherein said at least partiallypreformed aperture is of lesser area than and enclosed within theperiphery of said opening.

9. The container end of claim 8, wherein said panel adhering portionincludes a rim portion surrounding said at least partially preformedaperture, said rim portion extending into said opening and adhering tosaid outer tape means when subjected to substantial internal pressure onsaid inner surface of said end panel so as to seal off said panel edge.

10. A container end of the easy-opening tape comprising:

an end panel including an inner surface, an outer surface,

and a preformed opening exposing a panel edge extending from said innersurface to said outer surface along the periphery of said opening;

a resealable adhesive outer tape means covering said opening andadhering to said outer surface adjacent said panel edge; and

an adhesive inner tape means having a plurality of perforations formingthe periphery of a partially preformed aperture, said plurality ofperforations being in substantial alignment with said panel edge, saidouter tape means adhering to said inner tape means through said openingand forming a sufficiently weak bond to permit separation of said outertape means from said inner tape means as said outer tape means isremoved from said end panel without substantial rupturing of said innertape means.

11. The container end of claim 10 further comprising a pulltab portionadapted to be held between the fingers and fonned from part of saidouter tape means.

12. The container end of claim 11, wherein said inner tape meanscomprises a plug portion bounded by said perforations and adhering tosaid outer tape means through said opening, one of said plurality ofperforations bounding said plug portion adjacent said pull-tab portionbeing elongated and arcuate so as to form a flap on said plug portionadapted to be pulled partially through said opening as said outer tapemeans is removed from said end panel.

13. The container end of claim 12, wherein said opening has a reducedwidth adjacent said pull-tab and said flap portion.

14. The container end of claim 13, wherein said opening has a reducedwidth near the center of said end panel.

15. The container end of claim 11, wherein said inner tape meanscomprises a plug portion bounded by said perforations and adhering tosaid outer tape means through said opening,

one of said plurality of rforations boundin said plug ort1on remote romsaid pu -tab portion being e ongated an arcuate so as to fonn a flap onsaid plug portion adapted to be pulled partially through said opening assaid outer tape means is removed from said end panel.

16. The container end of claim 15, wherein said opening has a reducedwidth adjacent said pull-tab and opposite said flap portion.

17. The container end of claim 16, wherein said opening has a reducedwidth near the center of said end panel.

1. A container end of the easy-opening type comprising: an end panelincluding an inner surface, an outer surface, and a preformed openingexposing a panel edge extending from said inner surface to said outersurface along the periphery of said opening; an outer resealableadhesive tape means covering said opening and adhering to said outersurface adjacent said panel edge; and an inner adhesive tape meanshaving an at least partially preformed aperture, said inner tape meansadhering to said inner surface outwardly of said panel edge and saidouter tape means along a rim of said aperture extending inwardly of saidpanel edge and being separable from said outer tape means as said outertape means is removed from said end panel without substantial rupturingof said inner tape means, said aperture being sufficiently preformed soas to expose the contents of said container through said opening whensaid outer tape means is removed from said outer surface.
 2. Thecontainer end of claim 1 wherein said aperture is only partiallypreformed and said inner tape means includes a flap portion closing saidat least partially preformed aperture and adhering to said outer tapemeans so as to be partially pulled through said opening when said outertape means is pulled off said end panel.
 3. The container end of claim 2wherein said at least partially preformed aperture is of lesser areathan and enclosed within the periphery of said opening.
 4. The containerend of claim 1 wherein said aperture is completely preformed and is oflesser area than and enclosed within the periphery of said opening. 5.The container end of claim 1 wherein a wax bead forms a pilfer detectionseal between said outer tape means and said outer surface.
 6. Acontainer end of the easy-opening type comprising: an end panelincluding an inner surface, an outer surface, and a preformed openingexposing a panel edge extending from said inner surface to said outersurface along the periphery of said opening; and a two-step opening tabmeans including a resealable adhesive outer tape means covering saidopening and adhering to said outer surface adjacent said panel edgeadapted to be removed during a first opening step; and an adhesive innertape means adapted to be removed during a second opening step comprisinga panel adhering portion adhering to said inner surface adjacent saidpanel edge, a partially preformed plug portion covering a partiallypreformed aperture and adhering to said outer tape means, and anintegral connection therebetween, said connection being of sufficientstrength so as to remain when said outer tape means is removed from saidouter surface and separated from said plug portion.
 7. The container endof claim 6, wherein said plug portion comprises a preformed flap portioncovering and adhering to said outer tape means through said opening andadapted to be pulled only partially through said opening when said outertape means is pulled off said end panel.
 8. The container end of claim7, wherein said at least partially preformed aperture is of lesser areathan and enclosed within the periphery of said opening.
 9. The containerend of claim 8, wherein said panel adhering portion includes a rimportion surrounding said at least partially preformed aperture, said rimportion extending into said opening and adhering to said outer tapemeans when subjected to substantial internal pressure on said innersurface of said end panel so as to seal off said panel edge.
 10. Acontainer end of the easy-opening tape comprising: an end paNelincluding an inner surface, an outer surface, and a preformed openingexposing a panel edge extending from said inner surface to said outersurface along the periphery of said opening; a resealable adhesive outertape means covering said opening and adhering to said outer surfaceadjacent said panel edge; and an adhesive inner tape means having aplurality of perforations forming the periphery of a partially preformedaperture, said plurality of perforations being in substantial alignmentwith said panel edge, said outer tape means adhering to said inner tapemeans through said opening and forming a sufficiently weak bond topermit separation of said outer tape means from said inner tape means assaid outer tape means is removed from said end panel without substantialrupturing of said inner tape means.
 11. The container end of claim 10further comprising a pull-tab portion adapted to be held between thefingers and formed from part of said outer tape means.
 12. The containerend of claim 11, wherein said inner tape means comprises a plug portionbounded by said perforations and adhering to said outer tape meansthrough said opening, one of said plurality of perforations boundingsaid plug portion adjacent said pull-tab portion being elongated andarcuate so as to form a flap on said plug portion adapted to be pulledpartially through said opening as said outer tape means is removed fromsaid end panel.
 13. The container end of claim 12, wherein said openinghas a reduced width adjacent said pull-tab and said flap portion. 14.The container end of claim 13, wherein said opening has a reduced widthnear the center of said end panel.
 15. The container end of claim 11,wherein said inner tape means comprises a plug portion bounded by saidperforations and adhering to said outer tape means through said opening,one of said plurality of perforations bounding said plug portion remotefrom said pull-tab portion being elongated and arcuate so as to form aflap on said plug portion adapted to be pulled partially through saidopening as said outer tape means is removed from said end panel.
 16. Thecontainer end of claim 15, wherein said opening has a reduced widthadjacent said pull-tab and opposite said flap portion.
 17. The containerend of claim 16, wherein said opening has a reduced width near thecenter of said end panel.